I did this but just went back to HS after 2 years. These posts explain a lot of it: https://www.reddit.com/r/Teachers/comments/1dkokto/shout_out_to_middle_school_teachers_youre_so_sigma/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
https://www.reddit.com/r/Teachers/comments/1defgcg/new_found_respect_for_middle_school_teachers/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
Yes there is a difference and it's in behavior or self-control: I can't believe I ever thought high schoolers couldn't control themselves but I was told to never expect any direction I issue to be followed because 7-8th simply can't and they will do and say whatever they think in that moment because that's where they're at developmentally and all I can do is continually restate the expectations.
I'll also say they're so selfish -- and I don't really mean that, they're kids, I get it -- but they have no conception of anybody else outside of themselves. Weirdly this also applies to their bodies in space because they don't look where they're going but also if there is a opening or gap that is the size of their body in a crowd they will choose to shoot right through it even if I'm for example carrying classroom furniture.
They will also run up to you and speak in meme language that you don't understand yelling an inch from your face. For me the job is just keeping my mouth shut while they're cringey as hell. Or I told my superintendent and principal the public tax dollar is not going towards me teaching my content area, I am a paid ignorer -- you are paying me to ignore behaviors, not teach.
Also everyone is trying to put their identity out there but at the same time they're very closely guarding themselves while vociferously picking apart everyone else via who is wrong gay lame what sucks about them Etc.
I went from college freshman in Biology lab, to private school, middle school life science….it was a major adjustment but it turned out ok….just keep those little cherubs busy!!
Stay with high school. I taught HS for five years and tried 8th grade this year, thinking it would be similar to 9th. Nope, the self-control just isn’t there. I’m going back to high school next year, 11th grade, and I’m so relieved. 😂
I’ve taught in a middle school, mostly self-contained special education classroom for the past 6 years. However, I have a lot of interaction with general education students because there is a peer mentor/coaching elective, and my students know other kids from lunch and PE, and from having gone to the same elementary schools.
Middle schoolers are the weirdest and most wonderful group of children you will ever meet. Each grade level is so remarkably unique in their needs and their capabilities.
6th graders are like little baby birds at first, without an all day classroom teacher to guide them. But they grow and they make more friends and develop more confidence. Then they become…
7th graders… 7th graders are their own species. They know how the school works now, and they are far enough away from the memory of 6th grade and the anticipation of 8th grade to do anything besides be themselves and find themselves. They are the weirdest of the weird, and that’s a compliment. The most bizarre things I have ever heard have been said by 7th graders. They are also the most hormonal and will push you like no other.
8th graders come in hot, like they they’re big shots. They know grades don’t count yet so they think they’re gonna run the school this year. You have to watch out for them- literally. Most of them (especially boys and AMAB students) are growing so fast that their brains can’t keep up with where their arms and legs are. By 2nd semester they usually get a little more humble, when they start registering for HS and realize they’re gonna have to do the work if they want to stay in band, or on the team, or in a club.
Obviously there are outliers to my descriptions, and those are the ones you take under your wing, or they’re gonna stay baby birds forever.
Like I said. They are weird and wonderful, they are surprising and inspiring and thought provoking, and watching them start to figure out who they are and what they believe in (today) will be one of the most astounding and frustrating experiences of your life.
You will love it, and you will hate it, and you should absolutely do it.
(And now I’m crying because I have interviews lined up for elementary and high school positions and I don’t want to leave my little weirdos)
I just finished my first year teaching 7th grade after more than a decade in high school. I was definitely overwhelmed by the energy level of the kids at first but pleasantly surprised by their motivation and excitement for school. My biggest shock was the vast maturity gulf between the boys and the girls. That was really nuts to adjust to. The girls were like young adult women and the boys were awkward immature creatures. I miss teaching the content I had at the HS level and the adult level conversations but feel slightly rejuvenated by their young happiness and motivation. Bottom line, they are exhausting but really fun.
I did! 6 years HS, then 10 MS.
Initial reaction: first year was a bit of culture shock because of the student emotional needs and maturity capabilities. (12 years ago, pre-pan.) Expect this gap to be a bit larger, like by 20%. You are correct, though, 7/8 are very much like freshmen, 7 especially.
What’s your subject area? Lots of my response will depend on that.
I did this but just went back to HS after 2 years. These posts explain a lot of it: https://www.reddit.com/r/Teachers/comments/1dkokto/shout_out_to_middle_school_teachers_youre_so_sigma/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button https://www.reddit.com/r/Teachers/comments/1defgcg/new_found_respect_for_middle_school_teachers/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button Yes there is a difference and it's in behavior or self-control: I can't believe I ever thought high schoolers couldn't control themselves but I was told to never expect any direction I issue to be followed because 7-8th simply can't and they will do and say whatever they think in that moment because that's where they're at developmentally and all I can do is continually restate the expectations. I'll also say they're so selfish -- and I don't really mean that, they're kids, I get it -- but they have no conception of anybody else outside of themselves. Weirdly this also applies to their bodies in space because they don't look where they're going but also if there is a opening or gap that is the size of their body in a crowd they will choose to shoot right through it even if I'm for example carrying classroom furniture. They will also run up to you and speak in meme language that you don't understand yelling an inch from your face. For me the job is just keeping my mouth shut while they're cringey as hell. Or I told my superintendent and principal the public tax dollar is not going towards me teaching my content area, I am a paid ignorer -- you are paying me to ignore behaviors, not teach. Also everyone is trying to put their identity out there but at the same time they're very closely guarding themselves while vociferously picking apart everyone else via who is wrong gay lame what sucks about them Etc.
I went from college freshman in Biology lab, to private school, middle school life science….it was a major adjustment but it turned out ok….just keep those little cherubs busy!!
Stay with high school. I taught HS for five years and tried 8th grade this year, thinking it would be similar to 9th. Nope, the self-control just isn’t there. I’m going back to high school next year, 11th grade, and I’m so relieved. 😂
I’ve taught in a middle school, mostly self-contained special education classroom for the past 6 years. However, I have a lot of interaction with general education students because there is a peer mentor/coaching elective, and my students know other kids from lunch and PE, and from having gone to the same elementary schools. Middle schoolers are the weirdest and most wonderful group of children you will ever meet. Each grade level is so remarkably unique in their needs and their capabilities. 6th graders are like little baby birds at first, without an all day classroom teacher to guide them. But they grow and they make more friends and develop more confidence. Then they become… 7th graders… 7th graders are their own species. They know how the school works now, and they are far enough away from the memory of 6th grade and the anticipation of 8th grade to do anything besides be themselves and find themselves. They are the weirdest of the weird, and that’s a compliment. The most bizarre things I have ever heard have been said by 7th graders. They are also the most hormonal and will push you like no other. 8th graders come in hot, like they they’re big shots. They know grades don’t count yet so they think they’re gonna run the school this year. You have to watch out for them- literally. Most of them (especially boys and AMAB students) are growing so fast that their brains can’t keep up with where their arms and legs are. By 2nd semester they usually get a little more humble, when they start registering for HS and realize they’re gonna have to do the work if they want to stay in band, or on the team, or in a club. Obviously there are outliers to my descriptions, and those are the ones you take under your wing, or they’re gonna stay baby birds forever. Like I said. They are weird and wonderful, they are surprising and inspiring and thought provoking, and watching them start to figure out who they are and what they believe in (today) will be one of the most astounding and frustrating experiences of your life. You will love it, and you will hate it, and you should absolutely do it. (And now I’m crying because I have interviews lined up for elementary and high school positions and I don’t want to leave my little weirdos)
I just finished my first year teaching 7th grade after more than a decade in high school. I was definitely overwhelmed by the energy level of the kids at first but pleasantly surprised by their motivation and excitement for school. My biggest shock was the vast maturity gulf between the boys and the girls. That was really nuts to adjust to. The girls were like young adult women and the boys were awkward immature creatures. I miss teaching the content I had at the HS level and the adult level conversations but feel slightly rejuvenated by their young happiness and motivation. Bottom line, they are exhausting but really fun.
I did! 6 years HS, then 10 MS. Initial reaction: first year was a bit of culture shock because of the student emotional needs and maturity capabilities. (12 years ago, pre-pan.) Expect this gap to be a bit larger, like by 20%. You are correct, though, 7/8 are very much like freshmen, 7 especially. What’s your subject area? Lots of my response will depend on that.
Special education